Image processing apparatus, image processing method and a computer program product for judging whether image data include specific information related to copy protection

ABSTRACT

The present invention, which achieves these objectives, relates to image processing in which an image resolution of a input image data is compared to information of predetermined standard resolution, and the image data is judged to determine whether it includes specific information related to copy protection, with judging being controlled not to work on the basis of the result of the comparing means. Because the control technique of the present invention controls not to work the judgment on the basis of the result of the comparing means, the control technique according to the invention provides an efficient judging processing, since no judgment is performed on low resolution image data which is not so prone to counterfeiting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1 . Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an imageprocessing method and a computer program product for judging whetherimage data include specific information related to copy protection.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In connection with color copying machines, it has been consideredto implement an image recognition processing function to preventcounterfeiting of a copy-prohibited object such as a banknote orvaluable securities. One drawback of color copying machines is that theyare expensive stand-alone devices. More recently, high quality copyinghas been attained using less expensive computers and computer peripheralapparatus such as a color scanner and a color printer, and imageprocessing software to edit an input and output image. A need hastherefore developed, using an image recognition processing function, toprevent counterfeiting of a banknote and valuable securities for aninexpensive color image processing system using a color scanner andprinter.

[0005] There are some known judging methods for judging whether anoriginal is a copy-prohibited object or not. An original is judged basedon a color spectrum distribution of image data (R,G,B data for eachpixel) generated by scanning the original, and a comparison of the colorspectrum distribution with copy-prohibited object data stored in a ROM,or a comparison of an image pattern of a part of the original (or theentire original) with a copy-prohibited object pattern stored in a ROM.The result of the judging is an evaluation value as to whether theoriginal is a copy-prohibited object or not.

[0006] It is recently possible to make a copy-prohibited object by usinga technology called digital watermark. The copy-prohibited object isaltered to include information indicating whether the object is acopy-prohibited object. The process of making the copy-prohibited objectis as follows. First, second digital information (sub-information) isattached indicating a copy-prohibited object to digital image data asthe first digital information (main-information). Next, a printeddocument is made from the digital image data with its attached secondinformation. Of course the second digital information indicating acopy-prohibited object can be detected from the digital image data withits attached second digital information, as a characteristic of thedigital watermark. It is possible to detect the second digitalinformation indicating a copy-prohibited object from newly-created imagedata which is created from the printed document by an image readingapparatus (e.g., a color scanner). This technology is called digitalwatermark and is increasingly used for prohibiting illegal copying ofprinted material.

[0007] In view of widespread use of computer peripherals to make colorcopier, a judging process chiefly made of software for a copy-prohibitedobject is preferable to a hardware one comprising many electricalcircuits. Such a software process, however, uses too much processingpower and too long a time to judge whether an image is a copy-prohibitedobject or not and to process the image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of the present invention is to address the abovesituation.

[0009] One particular object of the present invention is to provide animage processing apparatus and method and a computer program productthat can avoid unnecessary processing and can provide a faster judgmentof whether or not an object is copy-prohibited faster.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an imageprocessing apparatus and method and a computer program product that havea new function not known before.

[0011] According to one aspect, the present invention, which achievesthese objectives, relates to image processing in which an imageresolution of a input image data is compared to information ofpredetermined standard resolution and the image data is judged todetermine whether it includes specific information related to copyprotection, with judging being controlled not to work on the basis ofthe result of the comparing means.

[0012] Because the control technique of the present invention controlsnot to work the judgment on the basis of the result of the comparingmeans, the control technique according to the invention provides anefficient judging processing, since no judgment is performed on lowresolution image data which is not so prone to counterfeiting.

[0013] The foregoing and still other objects, features and advantages ofthe present invention will become fully apparent from the followingdescription to be taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a diagram which shows the image processing apparatus ofthis suggestion.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a diagram which shows one embodiment of a imageprocessing system of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a block diagram that shows the main portion of FIG. 2.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a flow chart which shows the process sequence by usingthe construction of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a flow chart which shows the process sequence of a thirdembodiment.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a flow chart which shows a modification of the processsequence of FIG. 4.

[0020]FIG. 7 is a flow chart which shows a modification of the processsequence of FIG. 4.

[0021]FIG. 8 is a flow chart which shows a modification of the processsequence of FIG. 5.

[0022]FIG. 9 is a flow chart which shows a modification of the processsequence of FIG. 5.

[0023]FIG. 10 is a diagram which shows a six embodiment of an imageprocessing system.

[0024]FIG. 11 is a block diagram that shows the main portion of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025]FIG. 1 is a block diagram which shows an image processingapparatus of this suggestion.

[0026] Input image data control means 110 controls a resolution of animage which is read by image data source 120 as an image scanner. Imagedata generating means 130 generates image data of an image resolutionwhich is controlled by input image data control means 110. Memory 140stores the image data generated by image data generating means 130. Dataattaching means 150, which is controlled by main control means 200 basedon the image resolution controlled by input image data control means110, attaches digital data to the image data stored in memory 140. Imagecharacter recognition means 160, which is controlled by main controlmeans 200 based on the image resolution controlled by input image datacontrol means 110, judges whether the image data stored in memory 140belongs to a copy-prohibited object image.

[0027] Recognition information output means 170 outputs a recognitionresult of the image character recognition means 160. Recognitioninformation receiving means 180 displays the recognition result on adisplay or the like, and receives the recognition result information andinforms the image processing apparatus's user that an original based onsaid image data is a copy-prohibited object image. Image data outputmeans 190 outputs sequentially an output image.

[0028] Each function block in FIG. 1 works as the following description.Image data generating means 130 generates image data of a resolutionwhich is indicated from an indicating means (unshown) of input imagedata control means 110 and is based on a preset image on image datasource 120 and an indication by an user of the image process apparatus.Information of the image resolution indicated by a user of the imageprocess apparatus is output to main control means 200 at the same time.Main control means 200 control data attaching means 150 and imagecharacter recognition means 160 and recognition information output means170 based on the information of the image resolution output from inputimage data control means 110.

[0029] (The First Embodiment)

[0030] Information indicating a copy-prohibited object image is attachedto an original by using a technology called digital watermark in onepreferable embodiment of this invention.

[0031] An original of the copy-prohibited object is formed by printing aprinting object from image data to which is attached the informationindicating a copy-prohibited object. The digital image data, with itsattached information indicating the copy-prohibited object, is made byattaching second digital information indicating the copy-prohibitedobject to the first digital information which is a source of theprinting object. The digital watermark is possible to be any kind ofdigital watermark, such as one attached to a specific frequency of imageinformation as invisible information or visible information butdifficult for human eyes to see like yellow dots.

[0032] A inexpensive color scanner or printer is preferable to carry outa counterfeit prevention of a copy-prohibited object less expensive thana comparatively expensive color copying machine as stated above. It iseffective answer to judge the copy-prohibited object by using a softwareprocess, but the software judging process has a problem related to aprocess speed. Accordingly, the invention checks the possibility that aprinting image based on an original is used as a counterfeit, inaccordance with image resolution. The possibility is degree of risk thatsomeone mistakes the counterfeit for a genuine one.

[0033] The following is a detailed explanation, which is made withreference to the drawings, of the preferred embodiments of thisinvention. FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of an image processing system ofthe present invention. Image scanner 1 is an image input apparatus and apersonal computer 2 processes image data input by image scanner 1. Cable3 connects image scanner 1 and personal computer 2 and communicates theimage data.

[0034]FIG. 3 is a block diagram that shows the main portion of FIG. 2.CPU 11 is a central processing unit and RAM 12 is random access memoryand ROM 13 is read only memory. Display control unit 14 controls display15 and operation input unit 16 is a keyboard or a mouse. Connection I/O17 is used for connecting operation input unit 16 to the imageprocessing system. External memory unit 18 is a hard disk or a memorycard etc. Connection I/O 19 is used for connecting external memory unit18 to the image processing system. Bus 22 is used for communicationimage data or another data. Image scanner 21 is the same as imagescanner 1 in FIG. 2. Connection I/O 22 is used for receiving image datafrom image scanner 21 and sending control signals to image scanner 21.Interface unit 23 is a communication unit like a network.

[0035]FIG. 4 is a flow chart which shows a process sequence based onperforming a process of blocks of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. A program whichdescribes the process sequence of FIG. 4 is stored on ROM 13 in advanceor on external memory unit 18 and then the program is moved into RAM 12.CPU 11 executes the program to execute the process of this embodiment bysoftware processes. The program is preferably a part of a scannerdriver.

[0036] Reading image resolution, designated by image system user, isstored on RAM 12 in step 10. In step 20, CPU 11 judges whether thedesignated image resolution {Rin} is not as high as a predeterminedfirst standard resolution {T1}, e.g. 100 dpi [dot/inch]. This process isthe first judgment. In the case the designated image resolution {Rin} isnot as high as the predetermined first standard resolution {T1}, theprocess flows to step 40. On the other hand in the case the designatedimage resolution {Rin} is as high as the predetermined first standardresolution {T1}, the process flows to step 30. As a result, a judgmentwhich a scanned image is a copy-prohibited object image does not workwhen the scanned image's resolution is not as high as a predeterminedresolution since an printout of the scanned image is useless as acounterfeit. It is fast to print an image that image resolution is notas high as the first standard density since the judgment is notexecuted.

[0037] In step 30, CPU 11 judges whether the designated image resolution{Rin} is not as high as the predetermined second standard resolution{T2}, e.g. 300 dpi [dot/inch]. This judgment is a second judgment. Inthe case the designated image resolution {Rin} is not as high as thepredetermined second standard resolution {T2}, the process flows to step41. On the other hand in the case the designated image resolution {Rin}is as high as the predetermined second standard resolution {T1}, theprocess flows to step 60. It can be expected that a counterfeiter whoscans a copy-prohibited object image designates high resolutionscanning. Accordingly, judgment as to whether a scanned image is acopy-prohibited object image executes when the scanned image is highresolution.

[0038] In step 40 or 41, CPU 11 judges the image data of imageresolution is a low risk of counterfeiting and indicates, through theconnection I/O 22, the color image scanner 21 scanning a original on theflatbed by user's designated image resolution. The image scanner scansthe original. The image data based on the original is sent and stored onRAM 12 through the connection I/O 12. After step 40, the process of FIG.4 flows to step 90. After step 41, the process of FIG. 4 flows to step50.

[0039] In step 50, the image resolution is not high enough and is notsuitable for inputting a vivid copy-prohibited object, but CPU 11 takesmeasures to prevent a counterfeit of the copy-prohibited object by wayof caution. Concretely, CPU 11 attaches the product's number of personalcomputer 2 or color image scanner 1 and the user ID information to theimage stored on RAM 12. The attached information is registered when adriver of the color image scanner 1 is installed. If the image stored onRAM 12 is printed or is output a external apparatus through a network,it is thus possible to identify the person or apparatus that scanned thecopy-prohibited object image by using the attached information. Theattachment is performed by the technology is called digital watermark.After step 50, the process of FIG. 4 flows to step 90.

[0040] In step 60, since there is a possibility of inputting of thecopy-prohibited object image as a vivid image, CPU 11 judges the imagedata of the image resolution is high risk of counterfeiting and performsextraction of digital watermark attached to the copy-prohibited objectimage from the image stored on RAM 12. CPU 11 indicates, throughconnection I/O 22, color image scanner 21 scanning a original on theflatbed by lower image resolution than the user's designated one. Colorimage scanner 21 scans the original by the lower image resolution. Theimage data generated by the scanning is sent to RAM 12 through theconnection I/O 22. This scanning is carried by using a well-knownfunction of a color image scanner driver. After step 60, the process ofFIG. 4 flows to step 70.

[0041] In step 70, CPU 11 judges whether the lower image data generatedby the scanning is the copy-prohibited object image or not. In the caseCPU 11 judges that the lower image data belongs to the copy-prohibitedobject image, the process flows to step 80. On the other hand in thecase CPU 11 judges that the lower image data is not a copy-prohibitedobject image, the next process is step 42. Step 42 is the same as step40 or 41, and the process flows thereafter to step 90.

[0042] In Step 80, the lower image data generated by the scanning isoutput as a processed image. Concretely, the lower image data generatedby the scanning is output 1) after converting color or changing imagesize, or/and 2) after attaching any symbol or figure as a processedimage. The processed image is not equal to the scanned image data.

[0043] It is easy to make the processed image from the image stored onRAM 12 by working a well-known image processing program modulecorrespond to 1) and 2) under CPU 11's control. The processed image isoutput to external memory unit 18 as an image data file through theconnection I/O 19. The process terminates when step 80 has finished.

[0044] In step 90, the image data scanned in step 42 is output toexternal memory unit 18 as a image file through the connection I/O 19,when CPU 11 judges the lower image data generated by the scanning is nota copy-prohibited object image. The process terminates when step 90 hasfinished.

[0045] The original as a print document, which is made from the digitalimage data with attached information indicating a copy-prohibited objectimage as a digital watermark, is scanned by color image scanner 21. Thejudgment of the copy-prohibited object image in step 80 is performed byextracting the digital watermark from the scanned image data.

[0046] In step 80, it is possible to select another process which theimage data generated by the scanned image is not output at all. As aresult, the copy-prohibited object image can not be input in the firstplace. Of course, it may be good to give warning of indicating thecopy-prohibited object image is an original. The warning is displayed onthe display 15 through display control unit 14. The warning has theadvantage to stop mischief and mistake a copy-prohibited object imagefor the original.

[0047] It is possible to prevent a counterfeiter from reading acopy-prohibited object image by high image resolution. Additionally, aprocess speed of this embodiment's image processing system which judgesa copy-prohibited object image by using software and CPU is fasterbecause a judgment of the copy-prohibited object image is not performedfor an image read with low image resolution. This embodiment's imageprocessing system does not judge an image read with middle rangeresolution because a possibility of reading copy-prohibited object imageis not high enough, and then the middle range resolution image isattached with information. It is thus possible to stop the softwarejudgment consuming much time.

[0048] [Second Embodiment]

[0049] The judgment of a copy-prohibited object image, in step 70 of thefirst embodiment, is performed for photo electrical converted image datagenerated from a print object added information, using digital watermark, indicating the copy-prohibited object image.

[0050] For the judgment of a copy-prohibited object image, in step 70,it is possible to replace another method. For example, an original isjudged based on a color spectrum distribution based on image data (R,G,Bdata for each pixel) generated by scanning the original and a comparisonof the color spectrum distribution with copy-prohibited object datastored in a ROM or a comparison of an image pattern of a part of theoriginal (or the entire original) with a copy-prohibited object patternstored in a ROM. The result of the judging is an evaluation value as towhether the original is a copy-prohibited object or not. An original isjudged by comparing a color spectrum distribution based on image data(R,G,B data for each pixel) generated by scanning the original with acopy-prohibited object data stored a ROM or by comparing an imagepattern of a part of the original (or the entire original) with acopy-prohibited object pattern stored a ROM. The result of the comparingis a evaluation value which indicates whether the original is acopy-prohibited object image or not.

[0051] In this case, the evaluation value (e.g., the sum of the absolutevalue of the comparing result or the correlation between the image data(pattern) and data (pattern) stored a ROM) is judged on the basis of apredetermined threshold. If the sum of the absolute value of thecomparing result is not over the predetermined threshold, the originalis judged as a copy-prohibited object image. If the sum of the absolutevalue of the comparing result is over the predetermined threshold, theoriginal is not judged as a copy-prohibited object image. If thecorrelation is over the predetermined threshold, the original is judgedas a copy-prohibited object image. If the correlation is over thepredetermined threshold, the original is not judged as a copy-prohibitedobject image.

[0052] [Third Embodiment]

[0053] In the first embodiment and second embodiment, if an originalimage is not judged as a copy-prohibited object image, the originalimage is output without information attached to the original image. Itis possible to attach information in the original image in step 51,which is the same as step 50, after step 42. A flowchart of this processis FIG. 5. FIG. 5 and FIG. 3 are the same except step 51.

[0054] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0055] In step 30 of the first, second and third embodiment, if theuser-designated image resolution is not as high as the predeterminedsecond standard resolution, the specific data is attached to the imagedata in step 50. It is possible to replace step 50 with step 71, whichis the same as step 70, or to perform both step 50 and step 71.

[0056]FIG. 6 is a flowchart which performs the above-mentioned change toFIG. 4. In step 71 after reading an image in step 41, a judgment of acopy-prohibited object is performed. In the case CPU 11 judges that theimage is a copy-prohibited object image, the process flows to step 80.On the other hand in the case CPU 11 judges that the image is not acopy-prohibited object image, the next process flows to step 90. Therest of the steps in FIG. 6 are the same as FIG. 4.

[0057]FIG. 7 is a flowchart which performs the alternate changementioned above for FIG. 4. In step 71, after being attached with datain step 50, a judgment of a copy-prohibited object is performed likestep 70. In the case CPU 11 judges that a read image is acopy-prohibited object image, the process flows to step 80. On the otherhand in the case CPU 11 judges that the image doesn't is not acopy-prohibited object image, the process flows to step 90. It ispossible to reduce process speed without reading the image by lowresolution, because image resolution is somewhat lower in this case. Therest of the steps in FIG. 7 are the same as FIG. 4.

[0058]FIG. 8 is a flowchart which performs the above-mentioned change toFIG. 5. In step 71 after reading an image in step 41, a judgment of acopy-prohibited object is performed. In the case CPU 11 judges that theimage is a copy-prohibited object image, the next process is step 80. Onthe other hand in the case CPU 11 judges that the image is not acopy-prohibited object image, the process flows to step 90. The rest ofthe steps in FIG. 8 are the same as FIG. 5.

[0059]FIG. 9 is a flowchart which performs the above-mentioned change toFIG. 5. In step 71, after being attached with data in step 50, ajudgment of a copy-prohibited object is performed like step 70. In thecase CPU 11 judges that a read image is a copy-prohibited object image,the process flows to step 80. On the other hand in the case CPU 11judges that the image is not a copy-prohibited object image, the processflows to step 90. The rest of the steps in FIG. 9 are the same as FIG.5.

[0060] [Fifth Embodiment]

[0061] The above-mentioned process of attaching data or judging acopy-prohibited object is performed for color scanned image data on thebasis of user-designated image resolution. The process is not onlyperformed for the color scanned image data but also other input imagedata. The other image input data is input from interface unit 23 in FIG.3 as communication means like a network or a detachable storage medium(e.g., smart media, compact flash, magnetic optical disk) which isconnected to a un-shown drive unit of the image process system in FIG. 3and stores color image data. The attached information, in step 50, isthe network address of the sender apparatus which send image datathrough interface unit 23 or the number of the detachable memory in theabovementioned case.

[0062] The above-mentioned judging program of copy-prohibited object isincluded in a communication program (ex. Internet browser soft ware) ora program for obtaining image from a storage medium.

[0063] CPU 11 controls the input image resolution information of storedimage in step 10 in this case. Image data stored on the detachablememory being attached the un-shown drive unit is read through an I/Ounit which is connected the drive unit of the detachable memory. Theimage resolution information in step 10 and the image data in step 40,41 and 42 may be input through an interface unit connected to a networklike the Internet.

[0064] [Sixth Embodiment]

[0065] Image data including the processed image data and the scannedimage data is output as an image data file to external memory unit 18 (ahard disk of this image processing system) through the connection I/O19. However, image data may be output to a color printer or an externalapparatus through network and an interface unit. In this case, attachedinformation in step 50 is a product number or a network address of asend side apparatus or a receive side apparatus. In this embodiment, acopy-prohibited object judging program includes a program for usingcommunication through network or printer driver.

[0066]FIG. 10 indicates a example of a image processing system of thisembodiment. Image scanner 101 is an image input apparatus and a personalcomputer 102 processes image data and outputs processed image data tocolor printer 104 as a output apparatus.

[0067]FIG. 11 is a block diagram that shows the main portion of FIG. 10.Connection I/O 125 connects to an image output apparatus like a colorprinter. Other components of FIG. 11 are the same as FIG. 3. In thiscase, image output in step 80 and 90 in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 arereplaced with image output to a color printer 24 connected through I/O25. Image data in step 80, 90 may be output through an interface unitconnected to a network like the Internet.

[0068] [Seventh Embodiment]

[0069] When the color printer outputs an object image in the sixthembodiment, there is attached information attached to the object imageby using digital watermark method from step 50 and step 51. However, Itis possible to attach information like serial number in a printed imageas unknown color information for an image processing system user.

[0070] (Other Embodiments)

[0071] The object of the present invention can also be achieved byproviding a storage medium storing program codes for performing theaforesaid processes to a system or an apparatus, reading the programcodes with a computer (e.g., CPU, MPU) of the system or apparatus fromthe storage medium, then executing the program.

[0072] In this case, the program codes read from the storage mediumrealize the functions according to the embodiments, and the storagemedium storing the program codes constitutes the invention.

[0073] Further, the storage medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk,an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, a magnetic tape,a non-volatile type memory card, and ROM can be used for providing theprogram codes.

[0074] Furthermore, besides aforesaid functions according to the aboveembodiments are realized by executing the program codes which are readby a computer, the present invention includes a case where an OS(Operating System) or the like working on the computer performs a partor entire processes in accordance with designations of the program codesand realizes functions according to the above embodiments.

[0075] The image processing system judges a risk of a read image beingused for a forgery on the basis of a user's indicated image readingresolution and reduces a process for prohibiting forgery which isusually performed for every image even when there is little risk.

[0076] As a result, a process of calculation by using a software forprohibiting forgery is efficient and it is possible to be faster than aprocess speed of the image process system totally.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising:comparing means for comparing image resolution of an input image dataand information of a predetermined standard resolution; judging meansfor judging whether the image data includes specific information relatedto copy protection; and controlling means for controlling not to workthe judging means on the basis of the result of the comparing means. 2.An image processing apparatus comprising according to claim 1, whereinthe judging process is performed by a software process.
 3. An imageprocessing apparatus comprising according to claim 1, wherein saidspecific information is comprised a digital watermark.
 4. An imageprocessing apparatus comprising according to claim 1 further comprising,checking means for checking said input image data being acopy-prohibited object based on a result of said judging means in caseresolution of said input image data is as large as the predeterminedstandard resolution.
 5. An image processing apparatus according to claim4, wherein said image data is output as a processed image data on thebasis of said checking result; and wherein said processed image data isnot equal to said input image data.
 6. An image processing apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein a destination of said output is a storagemedia or a printer or a network.
 7. An image processing apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein an output of said image data is stopped onthe basis of said checking result.
 8. An image processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said control means controls not to workthe judging means in case resolution of said input image data is aslarge as the predetermined standard resolution.
 9. An image processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input image data isattached with information and a judgment of said judging means is notperformed in case resolution of said input image data is as large as thepredetermined standard resolution and is not as large as a secondpredetermined standard resolution.
 10. An image processing apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein said information is a product number of apersonal computer or a product number of a scanner which is a part ofthe image process apparatus or user's ID information.
 11. An imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said attachment ofinformation is performed by digital watermark or by non-visible colorinformation.
 12. An image processing apparatus according to claim 9,wherein said information attached in said input image data in case saidinput image is not said copy-prohibited object.
 13. An image processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data of an imageresolution less than said predetermined image resolution is used forsaid judgment of said judging means.
 14. An image processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said specific information is a colorspectrum distribution or an image pattern.
 15. An image processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said judging means is controlledto judge in case resolution of said input image data is as large as thepredetermined standard resolution and is not as large as a secondpredetermined standard resolution.
 16. An image processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said input image data is input from ascanner or a storage media or a network.
 17. An image processingapparatus according to claim 16, wherein information for a specified oneof said storage media is attached to said input image data in case saidinput image data is input from the storage medium; and whereininformation for a specified one of a network address of a sender of saidinput image data and/or a network address of a receiver of said inputimage data is attached to said input image data in case said input imagedata is input from the network.
 18. An image processing methodcomprising: image resolution of an input image data and information of apredetermined standard resolution; judging whether the image dataincludes specific information relating to copy protection; wherein theimage process method control not to work the judging on the basis of theresult of the comparing.
 19. An image processing method comprisingaccording to claim 18, wherein the judging process is performed by asoftware process.
 20. An image processing method comprising according toclaim 18, wherein said specific information is comprised of a digitalwatermark.
 21. An image processing method comprising according to claim18 further comprising, checking said input image data being acopy-prohibited object based on a result of said judging step in caseresolution of said input image data is as large as the predeterminedstandard resolution.
 22. An image processing method according to claim21, wherein said image data is output as a processed image data on thebasis of said checking result; wherein said processed image data is notequal to said input image data.
 23. An image processing method accordingto claim 22, wherein a destination of said output is a storage media ora printer or a network.
 24. An image processing method according toclaim 22, wherein an output of said image data is stopped on the basisof said checking result.
 25. An image processing method according toclaim 18, wherein said image processing method controls not to work thejudging means in case resolution of said input image data is as large asthe predetermined standard resolution.
 26. An image processing methodaccording to claim 18, wherein said input image data is attached withinformation and a judgment of said judging is not performed in caseresolution of said input image data is as large as the predeterminedstandard resolution and is not as large as a second predeterminedstandard resolution.
 27. An image processing method according to claim22, wherein said information is a product number of a personal computeror a product number of a scanner which is a part of an image processapparatus performing said image processing method or user's IDinformation.
 28. An image processing method according to claim 25,wherein said attachment or addition of information is performed bydigital watermark or by non-visible color information.
 29. An imageprocessing method according to claim 22, wherein information attached insaid input image data in case said input image is not saidcopy-prohibited object.
 30. An image processing method according toclaim 18, wherein image data of an image resolution less than saidpredetermined image resolution is used for said judgment of saidjudging.
 31. An image processing method according to claim 18, whereinsaid specific information is a color spectrum distribution or an imagepattern.
 32. An image processing method according to claim 18, wherein ajudgment by said judging is controlled to judge in case resolution ofsaid input image data is as large as the predetermined standardresolution and is not as large as a second predetermined standardresolution.
 33. An image processing method according to claim 18,wherein said input image data is input from a scanner or a storage mediaor a network.
 34. An image processing method according to claim 31,wherein information for a specified one of said storage media isattached to said input image data in case said input image data is inputfrom the storage media; and wherein information for a specified one of anetwork address of a sender of said input image data and/or a networkaddress of a receiver of said input image data is attached to said inputimage data in case said input image data is input from the network. 35.A computer program product, comprising a computer readable medium havingcomputer program codes, for executing image processing, said productincluding: process procedure codes for comparing image resolution of aninput image data and information of a predetermined standard resolution;judging process procedure codes for judging the image data includesspecific information relating to copy protection; controlling processprocedure codes for controlling not to work the judging on the basis ofthe result of the comparing.
 36. An image processing apparatuscomprising: generating means for generating image resolution informationfor input image data; first comparing means for comparing said generatedimage resolution information with a predetermined first standardresolution; second comparing means for comparing said generated imageresolution information with a predetermined second standard resolution;data adding means for adding data to said input image data; and judgingmeans for judging whether said input image data includes specificinformation or not; wherein said data adding means and said judgingmeans are controlled to add and to judge, respectively based on outputsof said first and second comparing means.
 37. An image processingapparatus according to claim 36, wherein said first comparing meansjudges that the input image data has a low risk of counterfeiting incase image resolution of said input image is not as large as saidpredetermined first standard resolution.
 38. An image processingapparatus according to claim 36, wherein said second comparing meansjudges the image data has a high risk of counterfeiting in case imageresolution of said input image is as large as said predetermined secondstandard resolution and processing by both said data adding means andsaid judging means is performed.
 39. An image processing apparatusaccording to claim 36, wherein said second comparing means judges thatthe input image data does not have a low risk of counterfeiting in caseimage resolution of said input image is as large as said predeterminedsecond standard resolution and processing by one of said data addingmeans and said judging means is performed.
 40. An image processingapparatus according to claim 39, wherein said second comparing meansjudges that the input image data does not have a low risk ofcounterfeiting in case image resolution of said input image is as largeas said predetermined second standard resolution and processing by bothof said data adding means and said judging means is performed.
 41. Animage processing apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said judgingmeans also judges whether a copy-prohibited object image is included insaid input image data or not.
 42. An image processing apparatusaccording to claim 36, wherein said judging means also judges whether apredetermined digital watermark is attached in said image data or not.43. An image processing apparatus according to claim 36 furthercomprising output means for outputting a result of said judging means;wherein said output means outputs a signal indicating said image dataincludes said specific information in case said judging means judgessaid image data inputted said input means includes specific information.44. An image processing method comprising: generating step forgenerating image resolution information for input image data; firstcomparing step for comparing said generated image resolution informationwith a predetermined first standard resolution; second comparing stepfor comparing said generated image resolution information with apredetermined second standard resolution; data adding step for addingdata to said input image data; and judging step for judging whether saidinput image data includes specific information or not; wherein said dataadding step and said judging step are controlled to add and to judge,respectively based on results of said first and second comparing step.45. An image processing method according to claim 44, wherein said firstcomparing step judges that the input image data has a low risk ofcounterfeiting in case image resolution of said input image is not aslarge as said predetermined first standard resolution.
 46. An imageprocessing method according to claim 44, wherein said second comparingstep judges that the image data has a high risk of counterfeiting incase image resolution of said input image is as large as saidpredetermined second standard resolution and processing by both saiddata adding step and said judging step is performed.
 47. An imageprocessing method according to claim 44, wherein said second comparingstep judges that the input image data does not have a low risk ofcounterfeiting in case image resolution of said input image is as largeas said predetermined second standard resolution and processing by oneof said data adding step and said judging step is performed.
 48. Animage processing method according to claim 47, wherein said secondcomparing step judges the input image data does not have a low risk ofcounterfeiting in case image resolution of said input image is as largeas said predetermined second standard resolution and performing by bothof said data adding step and said judging step is performed.
 49. Animage processing method according to claim 44, wherein said judging stepalso judges whether a copy-prohibited object image is included in saidinput image data or not.
 50. An image processing method according toclaim 44, wherein said judging step also judges whether a predetermineddigital watermark is included in said image data or not.
 51. An imageprocessing method according to claim 44 further comprising output stepfor outputting a result of said judging step; wherein said output stepoutputs a signal indicating said image data includes said specificinformation in case said judging step judges said image data includesspecific information.
 52. A computer program product, comprising acomputer readable medium having computer program codes, for executingimage processing, said product including: generating procedure codes forgenerating image resolution information of input image data; firstcomparing procedure codes for comparing said generated image resolutioninformation with a predetermined first standard resolution; secondcomparing procedure codes for comparing said generated image resolutioninformation with a predetermined second standard resolution; data addingstep procedure codes for adding data to said input image data; andjudging procedure codes for judging whether said input image dataincludes specific information or not; wherein said data adding and saidjudging are controlled to add and to judge, respectively based on aresult of said first and second comparing